So there has been a lot of hype about Adam Lambert ever since he first made himself known as a front runner on American Idol. I was a huge Adam Lambert fan last season, despite being from Arkansas, and so when his CD hit shelves I actually went to a store and purchased it. I think it is the first time I purchased a CD in a store in years, and it is a purchase I am happy I made.

Adam’s CD gives his listeners a lot of what they would most likely want/expect from his album. This is actually a pretty big accomplishment. Katharine McPhee’s first CD had nothing to do with the amazing vocals she gave us on the show, and I heard that Paris Bennett put out a terrible R&B album. So I was happy that Adam’s label was willing to let him sing what we came to love him for.

Adam’s CD seems to focus on 2 styles: Dance music & Glam Rock. There is some cross over between these, and both have pop infused in them, but for most part we are treated to a lot of material that sounds like a modern versions of Queen and David Bowie. This is not to say that Adam’s CD is not unique. It certainly feels like a CD the Adam we saw on American Idol would make. The only real problem is that the CD seems like Adam trying on a few hats, and he isn’t sure which one fits him best. Adam seems to be experimenting with several genres, and so it is uncertain what style Adam will be best known for. I think it is great that he chose to experiment, but the lack of focus does seem to make it a hard CD to listen to as a whole. If I’m in the mood to dance, I’ll certainly load the dance songs onto my mix and dance around. If I’m in the mood to listen to Adam sing those amazing high notes I’ll add the tracks from his CD to the ones I lovingly already have on my iPod from his American Idol days. Considering there are 14 tracks on his CD, I’d say 80% will be found on my iPod under one mix or another. However, because the album is so experimental, it doesn’t really lend itself to a fun listen to from start to finish.

If I had the chance, I’d go see Adam’s concert. I bet it is incredible, and I would love to just be in the room with him when he sings those soaring high notes. I hope this CD sells well, because I want to hear more from Adam in the future. Here is my brief reaction to each track:

Music Again: Lots of shades of queen, but not really a memorable track.

For Your Entertainment: Cannot wait to dance to this!

Whataya Want From Me: Solid Vocal work. I’d sing this J

Strut: Kara cannot write songs. This is a total yawn job.

Soaked: My favorite vocal on the entire CD! Probably the best demonstration of how amazing Adam is.

Sure Fire Winners: Sure to be a concert pleaser! Would be fun to sing refrain back to Adam.

A Loaded Smile: Very slow and sexual. Good for background.

If I Had You: I was shocked to know that this is not a song Adam helped write. It’s so him! Sure to be the new gay dance anthem J

Aftermath: A nice new direction for Adam. Sounds like a typical idol song, which Adam sings well. Nice reminder that Adam can sing more mainstream hits and have it still feel like an Adam Lambert song.

Broken Open: It’s weird, but I like it. Nice original closing track.

Time For Miracles [bonus track]: As much as I love Adam this songs like a really dumb sappy ballad that you’d hear at the end of a fantasy/roleplaying game type of movie. No matter how many times Adam sings insanely high, there is just nothing he can do to make this song not suck.

So, it should pose no shock to anyone that I was an Adam Lambert fan. He was a musical theatre singer, who was in Wicked, who could sing high notes well, and he was pretty. What could make him more interesting to me? The fact he was so obviously gay while singing on American Idol. While this was something that certainly made me pay attention to this season of American Idol. It is not news.

Everyone knew, my parents who refused to acknowledge that I was gay knew, and I assume everyone else did too. Therefore, while I am so glad I have a famous, attractive, talented, singer out there to look up to and feel a kindred spirit with, I honestly find this whole “reveal” coverage completely annoying. If Rolling Stone was going to have Kris Allen on the cover claiming to be gay…that would be news. Glorious…sexy…news. The cover could feature he and Adam shirtless and making out. Anyway, Adam “coming out” to anyone who could not tell is not really interesting. I found his story about being at burning man more interesting than his statement that he identifies his sexuality as gay.

I am looking forward to Adam’s album, and he is the first American Idol I have would pay to see in concert. That said, why does Adam look so uncomfortable on that Rolling Stone cover? I mean I would be uncomfortable with a snake going up my thigh, but that doesn’t seem to be his problem. Thoughts?